BUCYRUS—Lucas Carpenter, 43, of Bucyrus, pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony punishable with up to 36 months in prison.
Carpenter appeared in Crawford County Common Pleas Court with his attorney Brian Gernert to address their motion to suppress evidence in his case. However, Gernert and Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler agreed to a plea negotiation before the hearing.
Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold, who has the final say on all plea negotiations, agreed to the plea.
Leuthold sentenced Carpenter to five years on community control with the special condition that he goes directly to a community-based correctional facility to complete an intense drug treatment program.
Carpenter will forfeit all drug-related property to the appropriate authorities. He will remain in the Crawford County Jail until a bed in the treatment program becomes available.
In other court news, Emily King, 42, currently residing at the Crawford County Jail, appeared via video to answer to charges she violated the terms and conditions of her community control.
King pleaded guilty in 2017 to possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. She was sentenced to 12 months in prison in November 2017 and was granted judicial release in March, and placed on community control.
According to probation officer Kylie Sinclair, King tested positive for methamphetamines on June 7th and was taken into custody.
Judge Leuthold entered a not guilty plea on King’s behalf and appointed attorney Emily Beckley to represent her. Leuthold then heard arguments on bond.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler told the court that King had violated probation while being processed for a former violation of the same nature.
Because of a second violation while on judicial release and her drug history, Hoovler asked for a $100,000.00 bond.
Attorney Emily Beckley asked for a greatly reduced bond or a personal recognizance bond for her client.
Leuthold told the court he knew the history of the case and had a dilemma.
“Ms. King was in my ISAT(intensive Supervision And Treatment) program and successfully completed that program,” Leuthold said.
Noting King did well in treatment, Leuthold expressed grave concern for her mental and physical health.
“Methamphetamines are deadly and dangerous drugs. I am going to set a pretrial next week where we will revisit bond. But until then, for Ms. King’s own safety, I am setting bond at $100,000.00.” Leuthold said.